Heise Named Chairman of State House's Criminal Justice Committee

Rep. Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth, has been named chairman of the newly formed Criminal Justice Committee in the Michigan House of Representatives, according to a news release from Heise's office.

Heise previously served as vice-chair of the House Judiciary Committee in the previous legislative term. According to that news release, the new Criminal Justice Committee was created out of that committee in response to the variety of complex criminal law issues facing the Legislature.

“We’re serious about fighting crime and promoting public safety,” Heise said in a news release, citing human trafficking, medical marijuana reform, crimes against children and senior citizens, illegal drugs, and victims’ rights as his legislative priorities.

According to the news release, Heise will work closely with the Michigan attorney general, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts on strengthening Michigan’s criminal statutes and policies.

“The committee will also be monitoring compliance with the state’s new Indigent Defense program, and will be working with Governor Snyder on his crime prevention and corrections reform plans,” Heise said in the news release.

Heise is a 22-year Michigan attorney, and is Of Counsel with the Plymouth law firm of Hemming, Polaczyk, & Cronin, the township attorneys for Plymouth and Canton. He has previously served as a Wayne County department head, mayoral deputy, and city attorney. 

Heise also will serve on the Judiciary; Elections and Ethics; and Transportation committees during the new session, the news release indicated.